How do you set your goals?
What are the first things you consider before making a goal plan? What is the right way to set goals? How can you set life changing goals?
These questions portray the struggles people go through in goal setting. Most people only have the classroom knowledge of setting SMART goals. They do not have the understanding that is required for setting effective goals.
In this article, we will be looking at effective and practical tips for setting life changing goals.
1. Know the why:
For every goal that you are setting, there must be a motivation or drive behind it. This force is the ‘Why’.
Knowing your why will encourage and motivate you to execute your goal. Even when the road to achieving the goal seems rough, the ‘why’ will be your motivation and driving force to keep going.
2. Write the ‘Why’ Down:
Writing down the reason you are setting goals is really important. The reason makes your goal more than just a thought in your head. It makes it a solid intention backed with action.
If my reason for setting a goal is to lose weight, writing it down will aid my seeing it as more than wishful thinking. It makes it a reason to plan. Writing it down also reminds you of how important the goal is. After writing, keep it somewhere visible. Keep it on a plate where you are reminded of it daily.
3. Break into Smaller Tasks:
Now that you have discovered your reason for setting goals and you have written it down, it is time to develop a plan for achieving it. Break the goals into actionable steps.
To lose weight: I have to do the following:
• Start a diet
• Exercise more
• See a Doctor
• Drink more water.
When you break your goals into steps like this, it makes developing an action plan easier.
4. Develop an Action Plan:
It is time to figure out how to go about executing the goals now. To develop an action plan, you will pick the individual steps and break them into simpler steps.
i. Start a diet
ii. Take oatmeal twice week
iii. Eat rice three times a week
iv. Eat 56 grams of protein daily
When you have created an action plan, you can now track your actions in line with your plans.
4. Identify Potential Obstacles:
It is important to identify potential issues and plan a way to overcome them while setting goals. Also, plan to stick to your goal setting plan always. Be prepared not to allow obstacles to obstruct your plans.
5. Take Action:
Goal setting is only the first step in changing your life. Taking action and working on it is how you achieve your goals. Take action, be faithful and committed to fulfilling your goals.
Even when it feels hard to achieve it, do not relent. Stay on it.
